~ Testimonials ~

“We have both been riding and actively involved in the Harley Family since 2008. Michele my wife and I both really enjoy touring and adventuring with a like minded group. It is fun, social and a very relaxing alternative to our day jobs.

A group formed in the Central Districts met with Ken and Jan in 2010 to consider a USA trip visiting the Sturgis Rally. With a little persuasion we became part of a tour with 20 other Kiwi riders. Touring the West Coast, up into Canada, South to Sturgis and ,through western Rockies to New Mexico and back to LA was the highlight of our riding experiences to date and have still not ridden any thing better.

Jan and Ken have been organising trips for many years and are true pros at providing a good time at good value. They know the best routes, interesting small towns and fantastic roads to ride like Highway to the Sun and Mt Evens, the highest road in the States at 14500 feet.

The ethos of Ken is always relaxed and calm even when the travel arrangements are challenging or people are a bit grumpy. Tours are definitely not “tag along”, as riders each day take full responsibility for their routes, however fully supported by a supplied comprehensive map book with directions and tips for the day.

Overall we would recommend to anyone who wants a once in a lifetime, fun and carefree bike trip to engage with Ken and Jan. We were so satisfied with our first trip we repeated the experience in 2014 and rode 6 weeks on the East Coast up to Quebec and south to Key West returning via the coastal route via Savannah and Beaufort North Carolina.

My summary, If you are thinking about it – do it. You will never regret the ride and the experience of becoming part of Ken and Jan’s extended family.”

John and Michelle Signal, Fielding
Best of the West and Sturgis 2011
Best of the East 2014

“The trip for us was amazing to say the least. The layout of the trip IE Roads Motels, Hotels, Restaurants were also outstanding.

The group as a whole were a pleasure to be around and to have spent our trip with. The trip was as good if not better than we expected it to be. A big thank you to you Ken for the work that you put into it. I know that its not easy sorting these things out, and it’s bloody hard to keep everyone happy (impossible really). We have not stopped talking about it since we have been home and we are already talking about going back in 2014. If you were to change anything, maybe a couple more 2 nighters, other than that I would not change a thing.”

Darryl & Mel, Napier
Best of the West 2010

“We have still not fully landed on our feet since arriving home and still buzz when talking about our trip to whomever.

Thank you for the “holiday of a lifetime” which I don’t believe we experienced without the effort and planning you put into it.”

Marama & Elvin, Wellington
Best of the West 2010

“Outstanding trip and scenery just got better and better every day. Ken’s experience of riding in the States shows as we rode some really obscure roads and stopped and stayed in some iconic towns.

The accommodation was top notch and day to day well organised but not over organised so you could still be individual.

Ken and Jan are great hosts and we would love to do it again. Highly recommended.”

Janene and Dave Meikle, Picton
Best of the West 2015

After clicking on a post on Kiwibiker and being offered the opportunity to ride the United States in 2011, the seed was sown. I found myself wondering about it over the next couple of days, and then arguing that there would be no better time to explore the USA for 6 weeks. Young, single, no dependents. Why not?

The thoughts quickly turned to action, confirming to Ken O’Leary I would join in. Travelling half way around the world to explore a foreign country is never quite as easy as booking a plane ticket, but sending your own bike as well to explore only makes things harder. However, you wouldn’t believe the contrast that was the reality of travelling with Ken. I signed paperwork, asked him how much he needed and when, and when and where I needed to be to start the trip. It really was that hard, leaving all the organisation to Ken.

He provided a book complete with each day’s route, suggestions on where to eat and what to do and information on the pre-arranged overnight stops. If you wanted more or less mileage you could ask and get some options and non-travelling days were built in for rest or sight-seeing. Have you ever visited a country only to return home and find something you should have done if you had known? You would be hard pressed to find an easier way to ride the best roads and see the best sights in a strange country than follow a couple that have been doing it for a couple of decades!

Mountain passes in excess of 10,000 feet to rivers, lakes, forests, so many National Parks you can’t name them all, that wasn’t even extreme. We had some cloudy weather up the coast into Canada, getting as low 8 degrees and then rode through Death Valley where temperatures topped 50 degrees. I wrote a blog as we travelled, to try to remember it all and ran out of adjectives to keep describing all the scenery.

The trip was absolutely fantastic and you know you’re onto a winner when even locals are jealous of what you are up to. Usually described as a trip of a lifetime, there was one downside. It’s clear more trips will be required to see more of the sights that were missed! You miss the NZ winter (While NZ cities had snow dumps we had 30+ degrees) and spend most of 6+ weeks on your bike. Could it get any better?”

Alan Denness, Auckland
Best of the West 2011

“I want to say how much we enjoyed our trip and spending time with you two and our fellow travellers. You organised a great holiday and we will remember it forever.

Hopefully we will come again when you do one heading to the southern states and maybe taking in New York etc. If you guys ever have time on your side here in sunny Marlborough, we would love to host you at our house.”

Arnold & Chile, Blenheim
Best of the West 2011